Day 4 Devotions: Emotions

Day 4: Emotions

I can’t tell you how many times my emotions have truly ruined an event or occasion for me. The first one out of many that just came to mind was a few years back we were in the mountains with my entire immediate family which totals about 22 or more at any given family birthday and we keep adding. Anyway, in the mountains on a tree farm, a little remaining snow on the grounds, coffee in my hand and the sun was shining, acre upon acre of trees a very Hallmark movie scene and what makes choosing the perfect Christmas tree very hard with 3 little children helping you. Well, we chose one for the kids tree and that was our plan for the day a small tree to bring home, but here I found myself being guided off to find our family tree, we found a beautiful big round one, in which I knew was too big to fit on our roof top and drive home, but I allowed all the other voices tell us it was the “perfect” tree for us. As it was being chopped down I knew it wasn't the right tree, I knew I was once again talked into something I didn't want and I was angry, I was angry with myself that as a grown woman I’m still being led astray, first by others and then by my emotions. As everyone laughed at the size, the inability to get it bundled and as I watch all of theirs load nicely onto their rooftops my emotions were boiling. I walked away crying I wanted to pay for the tree and drive away, I was mad and the more I showed it the more they laughed and told me to get over it, something I’m not good at. Once again I let my families opinions and suggestions ruin my day it actually stung me hard for a few months, yes it was a beautiful tree and my dad made sure it made it safely to our home but they try to jab it at me if given a chance. I worked so hard in my adult years to control my Irish temper and my emotions that I get upset when I let it get out of control over others or my lack of self control. I’m always working on it but I look back at events and it makes me sad to think I should have cast it all on Him, He would have taken my pain even as trivial as a silly Christmas tree.

Verse: 1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Prayer: Lord, Thank you that you don’t let us stay stuck in our emotions, that you have offered us a way to let go, to truly give it to you and leave it there. We praise you for giving us emotions and feelings but help us control, express and use them for your good, help us to learn to humble ourselves more to you each day and find both forgiveness and peace knowing you care for each one of us even in our silliest more unrefined moments. I pray that I learn to bring it to you before I allow my emotions to ruin another event or memory. Amen

To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven...

A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted...

A time to break down, And a time to build up;

A time to weep, And a time to laugh.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-4

 

 

Joy Bracero: Daily Devotions for Women- Aligning Your Everyday Life According to His Plan and Design

Ever try to "change" your spouse, to make them become better or different how'd that go?

Ever try to "change" your spouse, to make them become better or different how'd that go? 

After sitting in a conference last week listening to Chalene Johnson speak, I had so many stories come to mind about my own marriage and me trying to leap into my dreams and leaving my husband behind after 10 years of marriage and 14 years together our communication is great but sometimes I'm the only one talking...not that he doesn't want to, I just have a hard time staying quiet long enough for him to voice his opinion. 

Well, I have learned from many years of my own marriage and coaching many women that if we keep trying to do things different or wanting to see a change in their lives, health, job, finances, family dynamics etc. that we often experience pain and give up, the let down and devastation when one goes after a goal without bringing their spouse along is devastating to not only the person wanting to do things but the spouse that feels left behind.

When making a change in your own self and future you need to think of how your spouse perceives your desire for change, you taking the steps to change yourself, can be just as scary to them as you trying to change them, the thought that you might change or become different and not desire them anymore is a real threat to any marriage, so we sit in unhappiness instead of communicating our desires out of fear.  And so I encourage you to have a real heart to heart with your spouse about your reasons for taking on a personal development course, a fitness class or nutrition challenge or simple wanting to be more than you are now. Not to be a different you but to be the real you, the one you feel is on the inside waiting to come out and live. 

Take the time reduce the fears for both of you and gain the support you need from within your home and relationship. Growth in one person and not the other can be scary and can cause separation of you and your spouse or family but guess what it doesn't have to. I guarantee if you talk things out share your goals genuinely and ask for your spouse to join you or invite him or her to think about something they'd like to do so you can support them on that adventure.
communicating and working together makes your relationship so much better in all areas if you know what I mean.  

Life begins when you give yourself permission to be the real you. 

Coach Joy 

Action step: plan a date night this week with your spouse, share your heart in a positive way and see what happens. don't try changing them but bring them along with you. 

Chalene's note: Bring the other along from "Mine to Ours" and watch not only your life change but your marriage get stronger than ever.

I would love to hear about your goals and your date night click here to share your best tips for a happy marriage

My best friend for life